That
may not be quite PC these days but I refuse to say 'Happy Holidays'
when it's Christmas. Even here in a primarily Muslim country, the
decorations are going up and the signs all say 'Merry Christmas' so MERRY CHRISTMAS it is!
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| Snippets of 2015 |
It has now been eleven years! We left our home port of False Bay Yacht Club in Simon's Town eleven years ago. Where has the time gone? Eleven years of adventure, fun, chilling out, nail-biting experiences and relaxation, meeting new people, visiting new places, tasting new foods, learning new languages, enjoying amazing scenery, sunrises and sunsets, saying hello and saying farewell to so many new friends and working on the boat!
In that time, there have been many marriages, the birth of a whole new generation of babies and sadly, the passing of some dear friends and family. They will be missed.
For us, some moments have been a bit trying and a tad scary but most have been exceptional; we wouldn't have traded this time for the world. If only we had more years ahead of us, we'd start all over again! When we hear and read of what's going on in so many other parts of the world, we have to ask ourselves "do we ever want to get back to that?" This life seems so much safer and harmonious in our view.
We have only one more ocean to cross to close the gap on our circumnavigation so have currently hauled dear Calypso out onto the hard standing to prepare her for the journey that we plan to finish around this time next year. No, it doesn't take a year to cross the Indian but we can't set off before the trade winds and we don't want to be in a rush; there are many more islands to see and enjoy on the way across and waiting for good weather windows is definitely the safer and more sensible option.
Our past year was fundamentally spent in Indonesia: our previous blog entries explain this long stay. I, Maureen, had a trip back to Canada to visit my sister and Mom then over to the UK to spend some time with our daughter.
Upon my return, we worked non-stop on Calypso giving her a bit of a much-needed internal and deck refit along with trying to repair some of the damage she'd received while holed up in a fishing port for the monsoon season. Never again!
The work we're doing now is all external; sanding, fairing, anti-fouling, polishing and waxing the hull as well as servicing the sea cocks, propeller and anodes etc. but the extremely lengthy "Job List" mentions everything but those items.
No wonder there are times that Paul despairs. Nonetheless, one by one, we'll get through them all. We want her in good shape upon returning to South Africa as we intend placing her in the market at that time. That will be a very sad moment.
To everyone, family and friends, may the festivities ahead be a joyous occasion and the New Year even more so. Wishing you all the very best for 2016.
